(from Mitsubishi
Press Release) MIEV - a proposal for next-generation
electric vehicles that utilizes to maximum effect the environmental
technology Mitsubishi Motors has developed over the years. The
offspring of a marriage between such environmental technology and
Mitsubishi Motors' sporty characteristics, Lancer Evolution MIEV
delivers a totally new experience in driving pleasure.

Lancer Evolution MIEV derives from the Lancer Evolution IX.
Utilizing the advantages offered by the electric powertrain to craft
smooth and slippery, low-drag body lines, the styling imparts an
aggressive wind-cleaving look to the body. Riding on large wheels
and tires, Lancer Evolution MIEV projects a tempting taste of its
potent new-age sport driving potential.

The wheels are driven by four outer-rotor in-wheel motors. Requiring
no speed reducer, these high-efficiency direct drive motors fit
neatly into the 20-inch wheels. Each in-wheel motor produces 50 kW
of power and 518 Nm torque. With a motor in each wheel, this brings
maximum output up to 200 kW (270 PS). And because this drive system
allows precise regulation of power at each individual wheel, it
opens the door to creating a vehicle dynamics control system in its
ultimate evolutionary form — one that could be dubbed Super All
Wheel Control (S-AWC).

The in-wheel motors and the lithium-ion battery system, which is
located under the floor to reduce the center of gravity, accelerate
Lancer Evolution MIEV from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in less than 8 seconds
and up to a maximum speed of 180 km/h. This is a level of motive
performance that leaves today's EV's standing.

In-wheel motor

The foremost feature of
the in-wheel motor is that it allows drive torque and braking force
to be regulated with high precision on an individual wheel basis
without requiring transmission, drive shafts, differential gears or
other complex and heavy components. Housing the drive system in the
wheels also gives greater freedom in designing the layout. This will
facilitate the conversion of internal combustion engine-powered
vehicles into hybrid vehicles without requiring the introduction of
complex hybrid power systems. It will also make it easier to provide
room for space-consuming components such as fuel cell stacks and
hydrogen tanks in fuel cell vehicles. The space-saving benefits of
the in-wheel motor also offer exciting possibilities in terms of
body design.

Lithium-ion battery

The major shortcoming of
the EV to date has been its limited cruising range. This is now well
on the way to being overcome with recent improvements in battery
performance. MIEV uses a lithium-ion storage cell for its main power
source, this offers advantages in terms of energy density and life
over other types of secondary or rechargeable battery.